Baguilat said the govt and therefore the Ifugao individuals should not let their guard down even with the United Nations instructional, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) call to get rid of the rice terraces from the list of endangered World Heritage sites.
“We still face issues like poverty, that ends up in the abandonment of the terraces by Ifugaos who feel they have to travel elsewhere to own a stronger life,” he said.
However, he said his individuals have taken nice steps to revive their tiny rice farms within the mountains.
Baguilat noted that such efforts, in conjunction with funds from the national government and therefore the non-public sector, and voluntary restoration work by native tourists, helped convince the planet Heritage Commission to get rid of the Ifugao Rice Terraces from the list of endangered sites.
“But we tend to should continue efforts to preserve the terraces as a result of the work ought to never finish,” he said.
He noted the UNESCO’s assessment that solely fifty p.c of the rice terraces have to this point been restored.
Baguilat additionally appealed to foreign and native tourists visiting Ifugao to require additional care in protecting and preserving the distinctive cascading rice farms.
Meanwhile, a study to work out the age of the rice terraces is being conducted in partnership with an overseas university.
Funded by the National Geographic Society, the project could be a joint endeavor of the University of Guam, Save the Ifugao Terrace Movement, National Museum, Ifugao State University, University of the Philippines and therefore the Ifugao provincial government.
